Multiple news sources report that Israeli strikes in Gaza on Wednesday killed at least 19 Palestinians, including women and children, prompting condemnation and raising questions about the U.S.-brokered ceasefire established in October 2025, which has seen at least 556 Palestinian deaths; Israel claims the strikes are a response to a Hamas militant attack on Israeli soldiers, while Palestinians describe the situation as a continuation of war.

Multiple news sources report that Israeli strikes in Gaza on Wednesday killed at least 19 Palestinians, including women and children, prompting condemnation and raising questions about the U.S.-brokered ceasefire established in October 2025, which has seen at least 556 Palestinian deaths; Israel claims the strikes are a response to a Hamas militant attack on Israeli soldiers, while Palestinians describe the situation as a continuation of war.

Multiple sources indicate that credit card interest rates are currently near record highs, averaging around 21%, almost double what they were a decade ago. This surge is largely attributed to the Federal Reserve's rate hikes aimed at combating inflation, which have significantly increased borrowing costs for consumers.

Multiple sources indicate that credit card interest rates are currently near record highs, averaging around 21%, almost double what they were a decade ago. This surge is largely attributed to the Federal Reserve's rate hikes aimed at combating inflation, which have significantly increased borrowing costs for consumers.

Multiple news sources report that the Colombian navy seized 116 packages of cocaine, worth $5.6 million, from a speedboat fleeing authorities in the Pacific Ocean, as the U.S. pressures Colombia to curb drug trafficking. This incident occurred during a White House visit between the Colombian President and President Trump, amidst strained relations due to increased cocaine production and ongoing U.S. military campaigns against drug-ferrying boats.

Multiple news sources report that the Colombian navy seized 116 packages of cocaine, worth $5.6 million, from a speedboat fleeing authorities in the Pacific Ocean, as the U.S. pressures Colombia to curb drug trafficking. This incident occurred during a White House visit between the Colombian President and President Trump, amidst strained relations due to increased cocaine production and ongoing U.S. military campaigns against drug-ferrying boats.

U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren is challenging Google's new Gemini AI checkout feature, raising concerns about potential privacy violations and data exploitation through the Universal Commerce Protocol, a system developed with major retailers. The inquiry highlights growing global scrutiny over data privacy and the ethical implications of AI-driven commerce, as international regulatory bodies grapple with similar issues of consumer protection in the digital marketplace.

U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren is challenging Google's new Gemini AI checkout feature, raising concerns about potential privacy violations and data exploitation through the Universal Commerce Protocol, a system developed with major retailers. The inquiry highlights growing global scrutiny over data privacy and the ethical implications of AI-driven commerce, as international regulatory bodies grapple with similar issues of consumer protection in the digital marketplace.

Snooker world mourns the loss of John Virgo, dead at 79, a former UK Champion and beloved BBC commentator known for his iconic "where's the cue ball going?" catchphrase. Tributes pour in from legends like Ronnie O'Sullivan and Mark Selby as the sport remembers Virgo's 18-year playing career and his influential role in popularizing snooker through shows like "Big Break," leaving a legacy comparable to Ted Lowe's impact on the game. A minute's silence was held at the World Grand Prix in Hong Kong to honor the snooker icon.

Snooker world mourns the loss of John Virgo, dead at 79, a former UK Champion and beloved BBC commentator known for his iconic "where's the cue ball going?" catchphrase. Tributes pour in from legends like Ronnie O'Sullivan and Mark Selby as the sport remembers Virgo's 18-year playing career and his influential role in popularizing snooker through shows like "Big Break," leaving a legacy comparable to Ted Lowe's impact on the game. A minute's silence was held at the World Grand Prix in Hong Kong to honor the snooker icon.

Databricks, building on the success of its data lakehouse concept, has launched Lakebase, a serverless operational database service aimed at enabling rapid application development and autonomous AI agent management of databases. Developed through acquisitions like Neon and Mooncake, Lakebase treats databases as ephemeral compute on data lake storage, offering a scalable and self-service infrastructure that contrasts with traditional, DBA-managed systems, according to VentureBeat.

Databricks, building on the success of its data lakehouse concept, has launched Lakebase, a serverless operational database service aimed at enabling rapid application development and autonomous AI agent management of databases. Developed through acquisitions like Neon and Mooncake, Lakebase treats databases as ephemeral compute on data lake storage, offering a scalable and self-service infrastructure that contrasts with traditional, DBA-managed systems, according to VentureBeat.

Multiple news sources report that Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos testified before a Senate subcommittee regarding the company's attempt to buy Warner Bros. Discovery, facing scrutiny over potential antitrust issues and accusations from Republican senators of producing overly "woke" content, while a competing bid from Paramount Skydance complicates the acquisition.

Multiple news sources report that Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos testified before a Senate subcommittee regarding the company's attempt to buy Warner Bros. Discovery, facing scrutiny over potential antitrust issues and accusations from Republican senators of producing overly "woke" content, while a competing bid from Paramount Skydance complicates the acquisition.

Multiple news sources report on a diverse range of global events leading up to the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan Cortina, including Lindsey Vonn's determination to compete despite a severe knee injury and the participation of athletes and spectators after the 2022 games. Separately, sources detail international conflicts, nuclear talks, and a miraculous escape by a 12-year-old girl who fell from a ski lift in California, avoiding serious injury.

Multiple news sources report on a diverse range of global events leading up to the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan Cortina, including Lindsey Vonn's determination to compete despite a severe knee injury and the participation of athletes and spectators after the 2022 games. Separately, sources detail international conflicts, nuclear talks, and a miraculous escape by a 12-year-old girl who fell from a ski lift in California, avoiding serious injury.

Multiple news sources report that the Trump administration is exploring measures to address housing affordability concerns, including allowing Americans to use 401(k) funds for home down payments, despite the president's reservations. These proposals come amid growing economic anxieties, with a significant portion of Americans describing current conditions as poor and anticipating further deterioration, despite relatively low unemployment and moderate inflation.

Multiple news sources report that the Trump administration is exploring measures to address housing affordability concerns, including allowing Americans to use 401(k) funds for home down payments, despite the president's reservations. These proposals come amid growing economic anxieties, with a significant portion of Americans describing current conditions as poor and anticipating further deterioration, despite relatively low unemployment and moderate inflation.

Multiple sources indicate a growing intimacy crisis in the US, with rising rates of loneliness, depression, and sexual inactivity, particularly among younger adults, despite increased opportunities for connection. Justin Garcia, executive director of the Kinsey Institute, argues that a decline in the craving for intimacy, misdirected by the digital world, is a key factor, as explored in his book "The Intimate Animal."

Multiple sources indicate a growing intimacy crisis in the US, with rising rates of loneliness, depression, and sexual inactivity, particularly among younger adults, despite increased opportunities for connection. Justin Garcia, executive director of the Kinsey Institute, argues that a decline in the craving for intimacy, misdirected by the digital world, is a key factor, as explored in his book "The Intimate Animal."

Multiple news sources report on a diverse range of events, including a 12-year-old girl's miraculous survival after a ski lift fall at Mammoth Mountain, Lindsey Vonn's planned participation in the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics despite an ACL tear, and Sri Lanka's "Riverstone" winning the Vesoul International Film Festival of Asian Cinema. These reports are set against a backdrop of complex global issues, such as geopolitical tensions and domestic concerns in the US, while the Winter Olympics opening ceremony is slated to feature Mariah Carey and Sabrina Impacciatore.

Multiple news sources report on a diverse range of events, including a 12-year-old girl's miraculous survival after a ski lift fall at Mammoth Mountain, Lindsey Vonn's planned participation in the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics despite an ACL tear, and Sri Lanka's "Riverstone" winning the Vesoul International Film Festival of Asian Cinema. These reports are set against a backdrop of complex global issues, such as geopolitical tensions and domestic concerns in the US, while the Winter Olympics opening ceremony is slated to feature Mariah Carey and Sabrina Impacciatore.

Multiple news sources report that despite months of trading insults, Colombian President Gustavo Petro and former U.S. President Donald Trump held a closed-door meeting at the White House, resulting in an agreement to collaborate on combating drug trafficking. The meeting, marked by pleasantries and a signed copy of Trump's book, signals a potential shift in the previously hostile relationship between the two leaders.

Multiple news sources report that despite months of trading insults, Colombian President Gustavo Petro and former U.S. President Donald Trump held a closed-door meeting at the White House, resulting in an agreement to collaborate on combating drug trafficking. The meeting, marked by pleasantries and a signed copy of Trump's book, signals a potential shift in the previously hostile relationship between the two leaders.